KEY POINTS:
Yesterday it was the turn of emerging cultures to showcase their talents at Auckland's annual Polyfest. Today Maori and Pacific Island performers will take centre stage.
Groups performing yesterday at the Manukau Sports Bowl included Avondale College's Sri Lankan group and Korean fan dancers from Waitakere College.
Korean student Kyungjin Kim said: "A few years ago we would have been too embarrassed to get up there on stage but it feels like we have become a part of this and have something to offer. It feels like we are mixed into New Zealand now."
Kyungjin, 17, said the changing cultural makeup of the Polyfest was a good thing. "Most people think it's only for Maori and Polynesians but there's room for us too and that helps to break down stereotypes."
Iraqi student Rana Khalid was part of a group from James Cook High School that performed a Punjabi dance at the ASB Polyfest. Rana said she had wanted to be a part of the Polyfest because some of her best mates were Fijian Indians and she liked the way they danced.
"It gives you an insight into what's out there even though all your mates at school wear the same clothes," the 17-year-old said.
Rana, who is Christian, said the festival was great for understanding other cultures. "There are some people who often get the wrong impressions of other cultures from what they see on TV so they should probably get along here for a better look."
Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter used yesterday's event to launch a Government project strengthening ties between ethnic, cultural and religious communities. Mr Carter said the project, Connecting Diverse Communities, was sparked by the race riots in Sydney's Cronulla area in late 2005 and the continuing tensions in Afghanistan.
The initiative included plans to improve pre-arrival information for migrants.
